Editor’s note: This op-ed is by George Cross, a former representative from Winooski.
A group of real estate developers and salespersons in Chittenden County has proclaimed, “We have concluded that the basing of the F-35 will not add any significant negative impact to real estate values and find that there is no reliable market data to suggest otherwise.” If this group of “experts” is correct:
1. Why is the City of Burlington in the process of purchasing about 200 homes in the 65 decibel zone around the airport to tear them down? Why would Burlington tear down homes that have held their value and are totally suitable for residential use? Does Burlington have $40 million to burn?
2. Why does the draft Environmental Impact Statement (dEIS) prepared by the Air Force as one of the conditions for basing the F-35 at BTV identify 2,944 residences in and 6,675 Vermont citizens living in a zone that it (the Air Force) deems “generally not considered suitable for residential use”?
The question about the F-35 is not simply about noise, about economic development or even jobs. The question is what will happen to the homeowners and their families who live in close proximity to the airport?
3. Why does the Air Force’s dEIS indicate that homes exposed to the increased noise from the F-35, compared to the F-16, may lose between 11 percent and 42 percent of their value?
Who are residents and homeowners who live in or close to the 65 decibel area supposed to believe? Should they simply take on faith that the aforementioned real estate experts know what they are talking about? Should they be concerned, maybe scared, that the U.S. Air Force, which is in the best position to project the impact of their futuristic F-35 plane on the 65 decibel zone’s homes and families, concluded differently? Do homeowners believe a group of real estate experts or the U.S. Air Force?
The question about the F-35 is not simply about noise, about economic development or even jobs. The question is what will happen to the homeowners and their families who live in close proximity to the airport. The question is not only about home values, but also about health issues, quality of life issues and more. Those residents have good reason to be worried, even scared and good reason to speak out in protest.
